December 2007

Want To Fnd Dale Cardwell Over The Next Few Days? Look 320 Feet Up The Corey Tower; 12/31/07
Yes, it's a gimmick but - no, it's not a joke

C-O-N Rule Change Spawns Lawsuit; 12/31/07
Community Hospitals say change approved by DCH board was "naked and illegal" attempt to circumvent Legislature

Former Sen. Roy Allen Dead At 57; 12/31/07
Popular official, successful attorney whose career took detour into legal problems of his own

Chamber of Commerce Poll: 'Clear Priorities Are In Play;' 12/28/07
Health care, water are top issues with voters; poll also shows how they feel about gun bill, presidential election

Go Fish Sites Announced; 12/28/07
Perry site has been no secret this week, but now we know where 10 mega-ramps will go

Will New Gun Bill Challenge NRA's Clout In '08 Session? 12/28/07
New gun group says NRA out of step with what shooters, sportsmen want

Dr. Charles Bullock: Putting Iowa and New Hampshire In Perspective; 12/27/07
Very small tails wagging the dog in presidential politics

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Would Ronald Reagan Vote For Ron Paul? 12/27/07
Believe it or not, there are similarities

Publication Names Rep. Tyrone Brooks As Its Man Of The Year; 12/27/07
Cited for 50 years of tireless service to cause of justice and equality

Guest Column - Rep. Jan Jones: Real Change In Education Requires Real Change; 12/26/07
Here's a legislative to-do list for getting there

Dick Yarbrough: It's Risky Doing Business With Friends; 12/26/07
You want to do businesss with friends? Go find a bunch of Quakers!

A Holiday Reading Gift; 12/24/07
"Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus"

Former Speaker Tom Murphy Is Laid To Rest; 12/22/07
Church elder tells mourers he's "hitting that old gavel" in a new place

Key Strategists Urging Vernon Jones To Leave Senate Race, Run Against Congressman Hank Johnson; 12/21/07
Strategy meeting called for this weekend, but decision not expected immediately

Insider Georgia Poll: Hillary, Obama Neck-'n-Neck; Huck Has Substantial Lead; 12/21/07
Latest Insider poll was conducted this week for Georgia Chamber

'Mr. Speaker, You Done Good'
A solemn goodbye and full honors at the statehouse to Tom Murphy

Murphy Remembered In A Variety Of Ways In Capitol Eulogies; 12/21/07
A fighter but still a friend, says former Gov. Carl Sanders; Never give Senate an inch, he told budget conferees, says Coleman

Text Of Gov. Sonny Perdue's Eulogy

Text Of Former Gov. Carl Sanders' Eulogy

Text Of Speaker Glenn Richardson's Eulogy

Text Of Former Speaker Terry Coleman's Eulogy

Murphy Is 22nd Person Afforded Full State Honors; 12/21/07
Here is roster of important figures who have been honored in Capitol rotunda

Insider Poll: State Split Right Down The Middle On Right Track-Wrong Track; 12/21/07
Wrong track percentages gain significantly since our last poll

On Background By Dick Pettys: A Reporter Remembers Tom Murphy; 12/20/07
Everybody's got a Murphy story - here is mine

Race Shaping Up For DOT's 8th District Seat; 12/20/07
Rep. Johnny Floyd eyeing race against Ward Edwards for Langdale post

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Could Edwards Spoil The Iowa Party For Hillary And Obama? 12/20/07
A nominated Edwards could give GOP a chance at keeping the White House

Dick Yarbrough: Reflections On Christmases Past And Present; 12/19/07
Being naughty or nice still a challenge for columnist

Rep. Howard Maxwell Will Chair House Committee On Information & Audits; 12/19/07
Paulding lawmaker will replace the late Rep. Dan Lakly in post

He Was 'One Of A Kind'; 12/19/07
Zell Miller on Tom Murphy

Here Are Details For Capitol Honors Planned Friday For Former Speaker Tom Murphy; 12/18/07
With honor guard, he will make one last stop at House chamber before laying in state in rotunda

Flags Will Fly At Half-Staff For Former Speaker Tom Murphy, Memorial Service Planned At Capitol On Friday; 12/18/07
Perdue, Richardson, others praise former leader, mourn his passing

Former House Speaker Tom Murphy Dead At 83; 12/18/07
Fist of iron, heart that would melt at plight of disabled, poor, kids

Huckabee Will Speak On Georgia Statehouse Steps, Two Weeks Before Presidential Primary; 12/18/07
Presidential candidate will speak to annual pro-life rally

Cagle: A Broad Consensus For Funding Trauma System, But Maybe Not The Way Proposed By The Speaker; 12/18/07
He also says it's futile to pump new money into DOT now, but doesn't preclude doing something in '08 toward the future

House Committee Tightening Screws On Judge In Brian Nichols Case; 12/18/07
Admonishes judge on his response, warns against finding "excuse to obfuscate"

Guest Column - Eric Johnson: The Fundamentals Of Tax Reform; 12/18/07
Senate President Pro Tem offers thoughts on the principals to keep in mind

Another View - Rep. Chuck Martin: Lottery Bonuses Were Over The Top; 12/18/07
Numbers don't add up to a bonus, lawmaker says

Governors Report Some Progress In Water Talks; 12/17/07
Details sketchy, but all three states will send water experts to DC in January to try to reach drought management deal

All Three Top Elected Democrats In Georgia Backing Hillary; 12/17/07
Thurbert Baker, Tommy Irvin, Michael Thurmond give her the nod

On Background By Dick Pettys: DOT Turnaround Could Be Sonny's Legacy; 12/17/07
Governors have tried for years to turn agency around

New US Attorney Confirmed For Southern District; 12/17/07
Edmund Booth has been interim since February

Optimism Grows For Trauma System Funding In '08 Session; 12/17/07
Stars look to be aligning, advocates say

Lawmakers Want Nichols Case Judge To Turn Over Defense Spending Records; 12/14/07
Judge will hear from defense and prosecution about whether and how to comply

Bush Signals He Will Appoint Perdue To Trade Advisory Board; 12/13/07
Panel advises President and U.S. trade representative

Abraham Stirs The Pot At DOT, Triggering Flurry Of Activity In Statehouse; 12/13/07
Agency in disarray, new commissioner finds

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: The Silent Forces That Will Shape The '08 Political Landscape; 12/13/07
"Non-biased" groups that seek to influence how we think

Former Sen. Jim Whitehead Named To State Board of Corrections; 12/12/07
Other noteworthy appointees to various boards: Mike Byrd, husband of lawmaker, and AT&T Georgia president Sylvia Anderson

Dick Yarbrough: Never Mind The BCS - - UGA's A Winner On And Off The Field; 12/12/07
And at least we don't have to travel to the Pine Beetle Infestation Dot Com Bowl to play the Fresno Raisins

Transportation A Key Issue Now For Voters; Top Leaders In The Field Says It's Time To Act; 12/12/07
A report from the InsiderAdvantage / James Magazine transportation summit

Linder Backing Huckabee In GOP Presidential Contest; 12/12/07
"Only candidate I have seen with the vision," says congressman who previously backed Romney

Shafer Fundraiser Will Feature Perdue, Cagle; 12/12/07
Event is Dec. 18 in Duluth

Guest Column - D.A. King: A Common Sense Solution - - Attrition Through Enforcement; 12/11/07
Simply put - again - enforcement works

A Note From The CEO: Christmas Party Isn't Ours; 12/11/07
A nice event and we're going, but this isn't our event

Those Lottery Bonuses: Another Look; 12/11/07
Legislature shouldn't tinker with success, House majority leader says

Speaker Takes GREAT Plan To Audience That Matters The Most Right Now - The House; 12/10/07
"A good chance of getting this to the next step," says Majority Leader

Keen, Ralston Ready With Proposed Fix For Sex Offender Law; 12/10/07
House majority leader wants to rush it to governor's desk as soon as possible

Some Changes At State GOP; 12/10/07
Marty Klein leaving as executive director; Ben Fry will replace him

Guest Column - Mark Burkhalter: Religious Test For President a Step Backward; 12/10/07
Religious labeling an unfair tactic to try to discredit a good man

Tax Collections Running 5.4 Percent Ahead Of Last Year; 12/7/07
Were up 10.3 percent in November

House Speaker Outlines New Funding Proposal For Trauma Care, Wants Change in Indignet Defense; 12/7/07
Hate crimes fix not needed; still thinks statewide approach, rather than regional, is best for transportation

Georgia Chamber President Hails Speaker's Trauma Care Funding Proposal; 12/7/07
"Fair and visionary," says George Israel

Chuck Clay: Rudy Showed In Marietta He Can Mix And Mingle With The Best Of Them; 12/76/07
A touch of the "Happy Warrior" in his style

Huckabee Names Georgia Team; 12/7/07
Business leaders on board include Virgil Williams, Ron Terwilliger

A Diverse Group Pushing For Judicial Pay Raise From '08 Georgia Legislature; 12/6/07
Georgia Bar teaming up with Georgia Chamber; Randy Evans with Sam Nunn

Major Announcement Brings Perdue, Richardson To Podium Together For First Time Since Session; 12/6/07
And there was no bloodshed - - in fact, it was quite the contrary

Capitol Lobbying Corps Losing A Familiar Face; 12/6/07
Jim Hammock, a part of the political scene for four decades, ready to kick back

Another Legislative Committee Puts Time And Energy Into Global Warming Debate; 12/6/07
This time it's Senate's turn to wade into the global question

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Secrets ... And A Shocker For Iowa Primary; 12/6/07
Contrarian Ron Paul could find himself outpacing some really big names

Pike County Attorney Wins Mack Crawford's Old House Seat; 12/5/07
Billy Maddox gets congratulatory call from Speaker Richardson

More Tough Talk From Perdue On Grady; 12/5/07
Georgia "won't be held hostage" by proposed conditions, he says

Dick Yarbrough: Underdog Dems Intend To Be Players In '08 Session; 12/5/07
Columnist takes the temperature of Democrats with House Minority Leader DuBose Porter

Part Of GREAT Plan Will Be Introduced First In Senate; 12/4/07
Senate Finance Chairman Chip Rogers working in tandem with Speaker on proposal

Predicting Georgia's Economic Future: Is The Glass Half-Empty Or Half-Full? 12/4/07
Perdue is cautiously optimistic; business school dean says "we will be living on the edge" next six months

Former Lawmaker Winning Praise For Financial Controls At Indigent Defense Agency; 12/3/07
Mack Crawford tells panel he's watching nickels and dimes, as well as dollars

New Details On Speaker's 'BRIDGE' Plan To Boost Graduation Rates; 12/3/07
Legislation aimed at keeping at-risk and just-plain-bored students engaged and in school

On Background By Dick Pettys: Vincent Fort One Of The Few Who Looked Like He Knew What He Was Doing At Grady Meeting; 12/3/07
It was "amateur hour," one long-time Grady observer said

Walter C. Jones: Hispanics Claim Their Influence Rising At The Voting Booth; 12/3/07
In close elections, already could be a pivotal demographic, some say

November 2007

Georgia Right To Life Endorses Huckabee, Parting Company With Parent Group; 11/30/07
Huckabee specifically supports push in Georgia for Human Life Amendment, group says

No New Judge For Nichols Case, High Court Rules, While Also Prodding Judge To Get Trial Moving; 11/30/07
Far more difficult cases have been handled without the delay that's plagued this one, court says

Insider Interview With Glenn Richardson: GREAT Plan Will Be Phased In; 11/30/07
Will be coupled with limits on assessment, spending growth

Romney Campaign Names State Director for Georgia; 11/30/07
He's Brandon Phillips, who's worked in campaigns of Jim Whitehead, Ralph Reed, Herman Cain and others

Matt Towery: Some Final Notes From St. Petersburg; 11/30/07
Behind the scenes at the CNN/YouTube Republican presidential debate

Dr. Charles Bullock: Thinning GOP Ranks In DC May Make Gubernatorial Bid Attractive Option For Isakson; 11/30/07
Members of minority party retire at higher rates than members of party in power

Robert Highsmith Named To Judicial Nominating Commission; 11/29/07
Holland & Knight partner was deputy counsel to governor, is former member of State Ethics Commission

Gun Group Pushing 2nd Amendment Issue That Differs From NRA's; 11/29/07
Will it change the political dynamic of the hotly-contest parking-lot guns bill?

Public Policy Foundation Executive Weighs In On What A Tax Reform Plan Should Look Like; 11/28/07
Don't tax business-to-business transactions; impose spending growth limits

Grady Deal Won't Fly At Statehouse; 11/28/07
Top leaders slam the door on strings attached to proposed deal, but Cagle says there's still time to make it right

Dick Yarbrough: Reflections On Growing Older And Other Assorted Facts; 11/28/07
But columnist says some things never change, including cheering for Georgia Bulldogs

State Senator Man-Handled, Handcuffed During Rowdy Run-Up To Grady Vote; 11/27/07
Trustees approve conversion to nonprofit - with unexpected strings

NEW
Jerry Keen: Ruling Last Week Leaves Georgia A Safe Haven For Sex Offenders; 11/26/07
House majority leader says offenders now willl have a "grace period" to move anywhere until law can be fixed

Some Want To Patch-Up Hate Crimes Bill But One Lawmaker Wants To Repeal It; 11/26/07
A look at some of the pre-filed bills heading into the '08 Legislature

Lobbying A Growth Industry In Georgia; 11/26/07
Headline-grabbing issues aren't the only ones that bring swarms to statehouse

A Bi-Partisan Effort To Help Sumter Hospital Recover; 11/23/07
Eric Johnson joins Rosalynn Carter In Bid To Help Tornado-Ravaged Facility

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: The Ron Paul Effect; 11/22/07
Quirky candidate could have bigger effect than pundits think on primary, general elections

Is Michael Coles Considering Race Against Saxby?11/22/07
Tea leaves point in that direction to some

Cardwell, Two Top Advisors Going Separate Ways; 11/21/07
Issue is money - he hasn't raised enough

Georgia's High Court Throws Out Portion Of '06 Sex Offender Law; 11/21/07
Ruling supercedes will of the people, says House Majority Leader

Court Rebuffs Attempt To Force Disclosure Of Spending Records In Defense Of Nichols, Others; 11/21/07
One concern among some has been that expensive Nichols case could serve as model for others

Critics Challenge Speaker's Numbers On Property Tax Surge; 11/21/07
Tax hasn't been the problem he claims, they contend; he says his numbers are correct

UPDATED
Qualifying Ends For Lakly Seat; 11/21/07
Four candidates in race - one Dem, three GOP

Dick Yarbrough: Hide The Silverware! The Legislative Session Is Only 8 Weeks Away; 11/21/07
Columnist interviews House Majority Leader Jerry Keen on what to expect

Another Voice: Sen. Tim Golden: A New Push To Remove Tax From Energy Used In Manufacturing; 11/21/07
Georgia increasingly stands alone among its neighbors, senator says

State's Rainy Day Fund Now A Whopping $1.6 Billion; 11/20/07
House leader says it may be too much, Senate leader says it may not be enough

INSIDER EDITORIAL
Lawmakers Should Tread Lightly With Lottery Corporation; 11/20/07
Asking tough questions is good, but this one is well run

Kathy Cox: DOE Not In The Loop Enough In Planning New Education Funding Formula; 11/20/07
Panel unveils one aspect of its plan but does not take final action

INSIDER EDITORIAL
Ignore Out-of-Touch Emory And Save Grady; 11/19/07
Despite the way Emory handles itself with the Legislature, Grady needs to be saved

INSIDER EDITORIAL
Falcons Biggest Losers, No Matter Who Is To Blame; 11/19/07
Yesterday's performance was the bottom of the bottom

On Background By Dick Pettys: A Perfect Storm of Tax Policy Questions May Greet Legislators In '08; 11/19/07
Will education, tax proposals complement each other of collide?

Walter C. Jones: Traffic Cop Needed For Next Legislative Session; 11/19/07
Too many big issues kicking around

UPDATED
Some Are Confident There Have Been No Delta Merger Talks; Burkhalter Is Among Them; 11/16/07
Speaker pro tem says rumors are a result of Wall Street "overreaching"

Are You Sure That's Really Grouper You're Eating? 11/16/07
Senate committee hears testimony that a lot of substitution is going on in Georgia

Do-Over Election Reverses Result In Fulton County GOP Controversy; 11/16/07
Hanley wins 122-119 over Dvorscak

Former Senate Majority Leader Will Do Part-Time Communications Work For Lobbyist Whose Stable Includes Emory; 11/16/07
Bill Stephens working with Joe Tanner

INSIDER FLASH POLL:
60% Oppose Delta Merger, New Insider Poll Shows; 11/15/07
Very few undecideds on the question

RELATED STORY
Stunned Leaders Vow "Fire and Brimstone" If Delta Attemps Merger With United; 11/15/07
Experts say any such effort would face strong, bipartisan opposition

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Iowa Caucus - The Orange Bowl Effect; 11/15/07
Because of timing, Iowa could produce a fruitbasket-turnover effect in both parties

Speaker May Scale-Back Tax Reform Plan; 11/15/07
Possibility it could only eliminate school property taxes, leave city and county levies intact

House Transportation Chairman: Minimum $20 Billion Needed To Catch Up On Road Work; 11/15/07
Possible fixes outlined during transportation forum

UPDATED
Lawmakers Say Emory Violating Open Records Act In Refusing To Release Grady Abortion Data; 11/14/07
Will convene special subcommittee to look into issue later this month

RELATED STORY
Emory, Morehouse Set Deadline For Saving Grady; 11/14/07
Warn they are looking for other teaching hospital venues for their students

Debunking A Drought-Related Rumor: No Truth To Notion That Schools May Be Closed; 11/14/07
Kids would use more water at home than at school, says spokeswoman for governor

Put Focus On Freshmen To Speed Up Graduation, Regents Told; 11/14/07
Issue made urgent by ballooning enrollment numbers

Dick Yarbrough: Be Thankful For The Important Things In Life; 11/14/07
Thanksgiving a time to put people and things in perspective

Ralph Reed NOT Running For State Senate Next Year; 11/13/07
'First I've heard of it,' he says of rumor

Cagle Awards Grants To Launch New Career Academies Program; 11/13/07
Institutions will couple academic prep with training for jobs in demand in the community

Storming The Gates Of Heaven For Rain; 11/13/07
Prayer service draws several hundred to Capitol

Critic: Numbers Still Don't Add Up On GREAT Plan; 11/13/07
But Speaker insists they do, and will even return a surplus for reserve funding if needed

Walter C. Jones: Is Education Looming As Huge Issue For '08 Session?; 11/13/07
Session already looks packed with big issues, but here, perhaps, comes another one or two

Cardwell Unveils New Campaign Gimmick In Bid To Unseat Chambliss; 11/12/07
TV-style reports on Chambliss will be posted on website with links e-mailed to potential supporters

Two Georgia Companies Honored by U.S. Chamber For Serving Community; 11/12/07
ChoicePoint, Aflac among five companies lauded with Corporate Citizenship award

Gun Battle Is Behind The Scenes In Georgia Legislature - But Not For Long; 11/12/07
Some hoping for quick compromise; others want to disentangle separate measure that was caught in crossfire

NEW
Andy Young Nominates Emanuel Jones, Matt Towery For Profile In Courage Awards; 11/9/07
Former ambassador hails them for their work in Genarlow Wilson case

NEW
Sales Tax Shaky, State Revenue Department Says; 11/9/07
Perdue said Monday it was slowing down ... now revenue department shows how much

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: When Money Isn't Worth The Paper It's Printed On; 11/9/07
American public recognized the economy as an issue before the politicians did

Investigators, Themselves, Reported To Be Under Investigation As Major Car Dealer Reaches Florida Settlement; 11/9/07
Our Florida Insider has pieced together the tangled story

Board Tightening Parole Rules Ahead Of Unpredictable Election-Year Session; 11/9/07
High-risks for repeat offenses would serve more time; low risks would serve less

Reps. Chuck Martin, Jay Shaw Chosen To Serve On Special Legislative Panel Studying Nichols Case; 11/8/07
Panel will look at options for reining-in spending, up to and including impeaching judge

Hang Onto Your Hat: The GREAT Plan Isn't Finished Yet; 11/8/07
Distribution formula for local governments in flux, Speaker says

Matt Towery: National Trend Watchers Get Little New Info From Kentucky Governor's Race; 11/7/07
Fletcher's defeat doesn't suggest a GOP collapse

Dick Yarbrough: Dear Sonny - Some Tongue-In-Cheek Suggestions For Solving Water Battle; 11/7/07
Remember: that water flows through Georgia before it gets to Alabama and Florida

Student Coup Misses Mark In Statesboro; 11/7/07
Incumbents appear on track to turn back challenges

President Taps Eric Tanenblatt For Federal Board; 11/7/07
Veteran GOP player will help promote community volunteerism

Auditors Can't Guarantee There Was No Fraud In Secretary of State's Office; 11/7/07
Handel, who asked for audit, agrees; says corrections are in place

NEW
Here's Formula For How Local Governments Would Get Tax Money Under Speaker's GREAT Plan; 11/6/07
Charts show phase-in and continuation levels

UPDATED
Governor Dropping Lawsuit Against Corps of Engineers; 11/6/07
Washington talks left him optimistic a solution can be reached, TV station reports

Perdue: Paranoia, Jealousy Drive Criticism Of Atlanta Growth In Water Debate; 11/6/07
Region's water supplies not suffering because of metro area, he says

Guest Column - Tom Houck: Is Atlanta Going White? 11/6/07
A look at the tangled racial politics of the state's biggest city

On Background By Dick Pettys: Let The Love-Fest Begin; 11/6/07
Temperatures much lower over latest budget battle than in last legislative session - for now, anyway

UPDATED
Sonny: Speaker's GREAT Plan Not So Great; 11/5/07
Want to avoid fiscal emergencies, not have to fix them, he says

5th UPDATE
House Caucus Gets An Update - And A New Price Tag - On 'GREAT' Plan; 11/5/07
Speaker says cost of program is half of what it was estimated to be

On Background: Abortions At Grady - The Quiet Before The Storm? 11/5/07
Don't be too surprised if what's simmering in the background explodes on the scene

State Your Point: An Online Debate On The Emory-Grady Contract; 11/5/07
DeKalb Commissioner Elaine Boyer vs. Emory Chancellor Dr. Michael Johns

Dr. Charles Bullock: Countercyclical Georgia; 11/5/07
If Hillary Or Obama should win, it's unlikely they will owe anything to Georgia and the South

Portugese Firm To Make $100 Million Investment In Effingham County; 11/5/07
Development will yield 600 jobs

Court Rules For PSC's Bobby Baker In Residency Challenge; 11/2/07
Finds he complied with residency rules

Don't Throw Out Baby With Bathwater, Father Of New Indigent Defense System Pleads; 11/2/07
But one lawmaker says new law is a lemon

INSIDER EDITORIAL
Perdue Due Credit For His Handling Of Water Fight; 11/2/07
Isakson, Chambliss also due a round of applause

Statesboro Battle Drawing National Scrutiny; 11/2/07
City council fight pits students against city elders

2nd UPDATE
Perdue Bringing Home Short-Term Good News; Promise Of Further Negotiations; 11/1/07
But emotions still raw between Georgia and Alabama

DOT's Mike Evans On Shaky Ground, Newspaper Survey Shows; 11/1/07
Lawmakers who backed Vance Smith for DOT commissioner unhappy with his vote for winner Gena Abraham

Georgia's Indigent Defense System On Trial; 11/1/07
One lawmaker brands it a lemon; State Bar, former chief justice come to its defense

Savannah Interchange Would Be Named For Justice Clarence Thomas; 11/1/07
Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson will offer resolution; Thomas was born in his district

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers; 11/1/07
Wrapping up old business: Genarlow and Gingrich

October 2007

Sen. Vincent Fort: Emory Should Write Off Grady Debt; 10/31/07
Emory says it's already helped Grady and Democrat's argument blurs the real issue

Dick Yarbrough: A Conversation With Saxby Chambliss; 10/31/07
Columnist gets an update with Chambliss on things ricocheting around DC

Arrangements Set For Rep. Dan Lakly; 10/30/07
Visitation Thursday night, funeral on Friday

Audit: DOT Making Progress But Can Build Roads Faster; 10/30/07
Georgia behind national average in moving roads from computer to the ground

2nd UPDATE
GOP, Dems Set Slate For Republican Presidential Primary; 10/30/07
Nine names on GOP list, eight on Dem list for Feb. 5 ballot

A Student Uprising In Statesboro? 10/30/07
Rock 'em, sock 'em battle pits student activists against city fathers in council races

RELATED STORY:
Statesboro Political Battle Had Parallel In Athens 40 Years Ago; 10/30/07
State Rep. Joe Wilkinson recalls his role in student's mayoral bid in 1967

DOT Fallout: Vance Smith Backers Want 1st District Board Member To Resign; 10/29/07
Herrington, who supported governor's candidate, says he won't step down

6th UPDATE
State Rep. Dan Lakly Dies; 10/29/07
Suffered an apparent heart attack

Rep. Edward Lindsey: Remembering Dan Lakly; 10/29/07
Lakly was straightforward, brutally honest

Walter C. Jones: Chancellor Says Academic Types Have A Wasteful Attitude; 10/29/07
Lawmakers don't need a translator to understand what former business executive says

NEW INSIDER POLL
Georgians Overwhelmingly Approve Of Perdue's Handling Of Water Crisis; 10/26/07
64 percent give him "thumbs-up" for his work to date

NEW INSIDER POLL
A Chambliss-Cleland Rematch Could Offer Dems Their Best Hope For Regaining Senate Seat; 10/26/07
Cleland would still be underdog, but looks to have best shot of any Democrat - should he choose to run

BULLETIN
Georgia Supreme Court Orders Genarlow Wilson Freed; 10/26/07
Decision is 4-3

RELATED STORY
Response To The Genarlow Wilson Ruling; 10/26/07
Public figures weigh-in

Ag Expo Authority Losing Its Director After 15 Years; 10/26/07
Michael Froehlich moving to new post in Pennsylvania

Nominees Listed For Superior Court Vacancies In Atlanta, Augusta; 10/26/07
Names now go to Gov. Sonny Perdue

Tom Baxter: Water Wars - This Time They're For Real; 10/26/07
Simmering differences now boiling over

UPDATED
Richardson, Cagle Working In Tandem To Push Regional Reservoirs; 10/25/07
Old idea of drought-proofing Georgia is new again

RELATED STORY
Georgia Chamber Backs Perdue In Battle For Drought Relief; 10/25/07
Applauds Richardson, Cagle for regional reservoirs push

Speaker Appointing Panel To Examine Nichols Case, Weigh Possible Impeachment Of Judge; 10/25/07
Lawmakers have been fuming for more than a year over amount of tax dollars going into defense

RELATED STORY
Barry Fleming: Panel Will Explore 'Poor Handling' Of Public Funds; 10/25/07
Judge in Nichols case facing legislative scrutiny

New Report Puts Transportation Funding Gap In Georgia Over 30 Years at $51 Billion; 10/25/07
Shortfall is reported by Washington-based transportation group

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Will The Next GOP VP Nominee Come From Land Of Bulldogs, Gators Or Longhorns? 10/25/07
Crist could be on short list; maybe Perdue; maybe Huckabee; maybe Kay Bailey Hutchison

Perdue: Alabama Trying To Dry Georgia Up Using 'Insane' Federal Rules; 10/24/0
Says drought underscores need for statewide water plan set to go before next year's Legislature

Dick Yarbrough: Shaking Up The Tech Fans ... Why Not Secede? ... Stupid PR Tricks; 10/24/07
'President Peanut' also among his targets in this week's column

Morris Chain Shedding 17 Smaller Newspapers; 10/24/07
Media corporation will focus on its larger markets, has faith in future of newspapers

UPDATED
Emory-Grady Contract Under Fire Again In DeKalb County Commission; 10/23/07
Resolution questions fairness of contract, documentation of billings; Emory calls resolution "outrageous misstatement of fact"

Chancellor Vows To Beef Up Credit Card Supervision; 10/23/07
Heads will roll, he tells lawmakers

Senate Budget Office: 'GREAT' Plan Could Leave Budget Hole; 10/23/07
Speaker's office says plan still being formulated, urges patienc

Georgia Delegation Urges President To Back Perdue On Water Request; 10/23/07
Perdue has asked for emergency declaration and exemption from endangered species rules

Shafer: DSH Funds Should Be Reserved For Hospitals Like Grady; 10/22/07
Instead, grant program has become across-the-board subsidy, senator complains

On Background by Dick Pettys: Paying The Piper After The DOT Election; 10/22/07
Understanding what you can do for people and what you can do to them

Perdue Declares State Of Emergency Over Drought, Asks President For Help; 10/20/07
Wants Georgia exempted from Endangered Species Act while water is running low

Roy Barnes: Drought Could Have Been Made Less Severe And He Had a Plan To Do It; 10/19/07
Building regional reservoirs was part of it; grants to local governments to fix leaks was another

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Is Religion A Stumbling Block For Romney?; 10/19/07
Some answers within the new Insider poll

From Southern Political Report: New Poll In South Carolina Rises Questions About Romney and Mormonism; 10/19/07
With Brownbeck out, issue becomes increasingly importantl

Guest Editorial - Sen. Preston Smith: Gold-Plated Nichols Defense Makes Victims Of 9 Million Georgians; 10/19/07
Senator says it's almost as if the judge is another member of the defense team

Senate Names New Budget Director; 10/19/07
Assistant professor at Georgia State to replace Kevin Fillion

Incoming DOT Commissioner Says Georgia Must Move Ahead On Public-Private Partnerships; 10/18/07
Board ratifies Gena Abraham for post, sets salary at $175,000

RELATED STORY:
Payback Expected After Bitter, Bruising DOT Commissioner Fight; 10/18/07
At least two GOP board members likely have targets on their backs, as does one Democrat

Georgia Presidential Roundup: Thompson Claims Conservative Title, Key Georgia Dems Say Hillary Can't Win; 10/18/07
Fred appears in Kennesaw; Roy Barnes, Mark Taylor tout John Edwards at statehouse

RELATED STORY:
Georgia Donors Have Given $5 Million To Presidential Candidates So Far; 10/18/07
Obama tops the list at $1.1 Million; Romney at $960,000

Former Aide To Sen. Herman Talmadge Exploring Possible Senate Bid; 10/18/07
Statesboro's Josh Lanier is Vietnam vet, fifth-generation Georgian

Governor's Candidate, Gena Abraham, Wins DOT Commissioner's Post; 10/17/07
Closely-watched and heavily-lobbied race narrowly goes governor's way

UPDATED:
Revenue Department, DHR Are First Targets Of Legislature's Push For Zero-Based Budgets; 10/17/07
Failure to cooperate is not an option if agencies want money, Speaker says

Perdue: State Will Take Corps Of Engineers To Court Over Water Issue; 10/17/07
Step comes after agency refuses his demand to curb releases of water from reservoirs

RELATED STORY:
Cagle: 'Not Going To Allow The Corps of Engineers To Drain Our Lakes;' 10/17/07
State prepared to fight to keep more water in reservoirs, he says

Georgia Congressional Delegation Pitches In On Bills To Exempt Drought-Stricken States From Endangered Species Water Rules; 10/17/07
Measures introduced in House and Senate by entire delegation

Dick Yarbrough: Say A Prayer For Little Abby Smith; 10/17/07
A message from the heart

It's Down To The Wire On DOT Race As House Leaders Open Full-Court Press; 10/16/07
Battle highly fluid between governor's candidate and rival backed by House leaders

Community Hospitals Blast DCH Board For Proposed Changes To Certificate Of Need; 10/16/07
Court action threatened; top senator says board usurping legislative power

Third-Quarter Reports: Chambliss Has $3.9 M In The Bank For '08 Senate Campaign; 10/16/07
Raised just over $1 million during reporting period

UPDATED:
More Third-Quarter Reports: Fleming Rakes In Over $250 K In First 30 Days Of Campaign; 10/16/07
Rick Goddard has $226K on hand

Senate GOP Caucus: Fatherly Advice From Eric ... Divided On DOT Commissioner's Race ... Unsure About 'GREAT' Plan; 10/15/07
Also, a broad consensus that Emory-Grady contract should be renegotiated

On Background By Dick Pettys: The Ultimate Abortion Bill Is Being Pushed Forward For '08 Georgia Session; 10/15/07
It will add to the session's sound and fury, but will it come to a vote? Probably not. Here's why

INSIDER EDITORIAL
Widner Case Is No Parallel To Genarlow Wilson Case; 10/15/07
Author of law says cases are not similar in fact or in legislative intent

Legislative Committee Begins Looking Into State Worker Credit Card Abuse; 10/15/07
Auditors explain what they found and how they found it

Zell Miller Lauded By One-Time GOP Foe Following Right To Life Speech; 10/15/07
David Shafer: "I found myself wishing that his days in public office were not over"

RELATED STORY:
59 State Reps, 26 Senators Get 100% Scorecard Rating From Christian Alliance; 10/15/07
Two conservative groups rally members at fundraising events in the past week

What If Al Gore Entered Presidential Race? Insider Poll Shows Impact; 10/13/07
Hillary benefits should Gore decide to make the race

Walter C. Jones: Democrats See Reason For Optimism As They Rebuild; 10/15/07
Most presidential candidates have agreed to attend J-J Dinner, just days before Georgia primary

NEW
Perdue Administration To Corps: Curb Water Releases In Chattahoochee Basin System; 10/12/07
EPD Director says Georgia is in record drought that is only likely to worsen

NEW
Senate GOP Caucus Open To Tax Reform But Must See Speaker's Bill Before Committing; 10/12/07
Numbers must work, seniors can't be harmed, economy must not be slowed, senators say

C-O-N Change Would Allow More Doctors To Open Surgery Centers; 10/12/07
Physician groups pleased, hospital groups say proposal would harm struggling facilities

Proposed Hospital Funding Changes By State Agency A Mixed Bag; 10/12/07
More hospitals would be funded; some, like Grady, would get more, others less

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Too Many Candidates, Too Many Debates; 10/11/07
Too many boring debates with one-inch deep candidates

INSIDER EDITORIALS
Justice For Genarlow; Kudos To Sen. David Shafer; 10/11/07
Views on two topics from members of the Insider editorial board

Hillary Will Be In Atlanta On Friday; 10/11/07
She's holding event at Paschal's Restaurant

2nd UPDATE
Judge In Brian Nichols Case Takes Aim At Critics, Politics; 10/11/07
"No one anticipated the role that politics has assumed," he writes; Eric Johnson says he's convicted taxpayers without a trial

Casey Cagle: We've Got Plenty Of Water But Aren't Managing It Well; 10/11/07
More from lieutenant governor's press conference this week

Valdosta Mayor Gets Campaign Assist From Lieutenant Governor; 10/11/07
Cagle headed to Valdosta for reception for John Fetti

UPDATED OVERNIGHT
Cagle: Speaker's Tax Plan Stands To Put Georgia Businesses At Disadvantage; 10/10/07
Expresses skepticism of Speaker's goal of also eliminating income tax

Dick Yarbrough: Yo! Get Ready To Rap At Tech's 'Welcoming Experience;' 10/10/07
Unique experience awaiting aging bridge builders and architects at Virginia Tech game at Grant Field

UPDATED
Parking Lot Guns Bill Could Reappear Early In '08 Session; 10/9/07
Georgia Chamber telling senators bill is an NRA 'trap'

UPDATED
Former Governor's Son Named To Superior Court Bench; 10/9/07
Murphy Miller gets one of five judicial appointments announced by Gov. Sonny Perdue

Legislative Panel Will Follow The Money On Governor's Redirects; 10/9/07
Committee wants to know what happened to the money after governor said earmarks could be ignored

Governor's Task Force Issues Report On Transportation; 10/9/07
State getting value for dollars its spends, but opportunity to do more, report says

From The Editorial Board Of InsiderAdvantage and James Magazine; 10/9/07
One of Perdue's finest hours comes in simple act of ordering an audit

Shafer: Emory, Grady Wanted To Put Whistleblower In Jail; 10/8/07
Senator says suggestion came during hearing on whether records in case should be unsealed

RELATED STORY:
Grady Whistleblower Was Paid $1.6 Million, Newly-Unsealed Court Documents Show; 10/8/07
"Something is not right here," senator says

On Background By Dick Pettys: Nichols Case Raises Question - How Much Defense Is Enough? 10/8/07
Case being followed closely at statehouse as bills pile up

Walter C. Jones: Can Perdue Turn The GOP Around?; 10/8/07
Governor working to turn Republicans in new direction

Tom Baxter: Bill Richardson Takes A Call From DSCC Chairman During Varsity Visit; 10/8/07
For the record: he's still running for president, not U.S. Senate

INSIDER 5-STATE POLL
Matt Tower's Inside The Numbers: Religious Right A Shrinking Factor In GOP; 10/5/07
New InsiderAdvantage / Majority Opinion Research Polls

INSIDER 5-STATE POLL
Tom Baxter: Rudy Ahead In Florida, Michigan; Mitt Leads In New Hampshire, Iowa; 10/5/07
New InsiderAdvantage / Majority Opinion Research Polls

Fulton County Turns Up Heat On Grady; 10/4/07
Commissioners want contracts renegotiated, claims justified

Chambliss Will Report $3.9 Million In Bank For '08 Campaign; 10/4/07
Includes more than $1M raised this quarter

Cardwell Rips Chambliss For Opposing Health Care Reauthorization; 10/4/07
Both Georgia senators voted against passage of now-vetoed measure

More Than 900 Take Advantage Of Special-Needs Voucher Program In First Year; 10/3/07
"Far exceeded expectations," says Sen. Eric Johnson, the initiative's sponsor

State Lawmakers Ask Court To Unseal Records In Grady Whistleblower Case; 10/3/07
Senate president pro-tem and majority leader among those involved in action

RELATED STORY:
Open Records Request Could Lead To New Blow-Up Between Grady, Lawmakers; 10/3/07
Fight is over sealed whistleblower lawsuit records

Richardson: Local Governments Won't Have To Beg Under 'GREAT' Plan; 10/3/07
Next goal: getting rid of income taxes in Georgia

Dick Yarbrough: Reflections On Iraq Two Years Later; 10/3/07
Keeping tabs on a "Band of Brothers"

Speaker's Lawyer, Sam Choate, Joining Public Affairs Firm; 10/2/07
He's now with ConnectSouth and veterans Clint Austin and Tony Simon

Isakson Taking Step Towards 2010 Governor's Race, Insiders Say; 10/2/07
Major staff changes prelude to gubernatorial bid

UPDATED
Poythress: No Plans Now, But You Never Say 'Never' In Politics; 10/1/07
Blogs have been buzzing over conjecture he's being urged to run against Saxby Chambliss

UPDATED
Lawmaker Wants Questions Answered About Grady 'Abortion Mill;' 10/1/07
Tough letter sent to Grady by Rep. Melvin Everson says Emory used Grady to train abortionists

On Background By Dick Pettys: Some Mixed Signals On Speaker's GREAT Plan; 10/1/07
If it gets through House, what will Senate do?

The Story Behind Newt's Skipped White House Bid; 10/1/07
What was up with Newt? Some additional insight

Walter C. Jones: Democrats Have A New Feeling - It's Called Hope; 10/1/07
"Suddenly, my phone is ringing again."

September 2007

NEW
State Bans Outdoor Watering In Much Of North Georgia; 9/28/07
EPD Director says she's not sure steps she's ordered will be enough

UPDATED
Perdue: 9-Point Increase In Graduation Rate Is Good - But Not Good Enough; 9/28/07
Challenges Georgia to reach 80 percent rate by end of his term

What Goes Up In A Plane And Comes Down In A Parachute? State Sen. Preston Smith, He Hopes; 9/28/07
Lawmaker will leap from plane to raise money for charity

Gingrich: Put Partisan Bomb-Throwing Aside, Focus On Fixing What's Wrong; 9/28/07
Launches what he hopes will be national dialogue through American Solutions

Guest Column: Jim Higdon - Tax Reform Is A Matter Of Trust; 9/28/07
GREAT plan a one-size-fits-none tax shift or tax increase

Guest Column: Emory's Dr. William Casarella - Emory A Great Bargain For Grady; 9/28/07
Grady too critical to waste time in political sideshows

Eric Johnson: Reasonable To Ask If Health Care Would Improve If Emory Goes Under; 9/28/07
Senate president pro tem fires back at critics

Perdue On Board With Newt's 'Solutions' Effort; 9/27/07
Will appear with him in broadcast, be part of Georgia Solutions team

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: Gingrich On The Eve of Something Big - Just What Remains Unclear; 9/27/07
Only time will tell if he's the smartest of all or he just outsmarted himself

Guest Column - Speaker Glenn Richardson: The GREAT Plan And The Truth About Local Control; 9/27/07
Time for a reality check on opponents and their agenda, he says

UPDATED OVERNIGHT
Interviews Underway For DOT Commissioner's Job; Seven Being Considered; 9/26/07
Could be wrapped up within next two weeks, chairman says

NEW
Cagle: Decision Must Be Made On What Grady Hospital Is To Be; 9/26/07
".. Reality of the situation is we have bailed Grady out numerous times ... Nothing has changed..."

Dick Yarbrough: She's Back, And She's Badder Than Ever; 9/26/07
As columnist puts it, former ambassador to outer space seeking political comeback

Guest Column - Rep. Steve Davis: The More We Dig On Grady, The More Mismanaged It Seems; 9/26/07
"...Emory University has been working over Grady Hospital financially for years"

Eric Johnson: Speaker's "GREAT" Plan Will Pass Senate If It Clears House; 9/26/07
Says maybe not such a bad thing if Grady goes under

Lawyers For Rudy Names Georgia Team Members; 9/26/07
Key officers include Doug Chalmers, Joe Whitley

MORE CAMPAIGN NEWS
Dan Moody On Board With Romney Campaign; 9/26/07
Joins Price, Gingrey, Burkhalter in backing former Massachusetts governor

Conservatuve Talk Show Host Laura Ingraham On Tap For Christian Alliance Event; 9/26/07
She'll speak at Cobb County banquet on Oct. 6

UPDATED
Richardson: Time To Do Something About Transportation Funding Is Now; 9/25/07
Speaker, lieutenant governor, issue joint statement about process changes needed in DOT

UPDATED
Here's A Name To Watch In Scramble To Name DOT Commissioner - - Mike Evans; 9/25/07
Senate president pro tem says from what he hears, nobody's got the votes yet to win

Critics Of Speaker's Tax Plan Bring 'Reality Check' Tour To Gold Dome; 9/24/07
"Shifts the rule from home to dome," says Schools Boards Association president

Georgia Supreme Court Clears Way For Abortion-Funding Suit To Be Heard; 9/24/07
Suit challenges constitutionality of rule denying Medicaid coverage for medically-necessary, but not life-threatening, abortions

Insider Poll:
Isakson At Top Of Georgia's Political Leaders; 9/24/07
56% approval rating is highest of any statewide elected official

On Background By Dick Pettys: What Role For Election Calculus In Easing Gold Dome Tensions? 9/24/07
A look at poll numbers and what they might mean for upcoming legislative session

Grady Deal Under Fire From Several Sides; 9/24/07
Brokered in secret, DeKalb commissioner says; grassroots group also opposes proposal

Host List For DuBose Porter Fundraiser A Who's Who Of Democrats; 9/24/07
Roy Barnes, Shirley Franklin just two of the sponsors for House Democratic Leader

Walter C. Jones: The InsiderAdvantage Poll And The Speaker; 9/24/07
Interest is building, both among supporters and among those who want to punch holes in his tax plan

Tom Baxter: Obama In Atlanta - The Modern Day Joshua And The Chum Table; 9/21/07
Obama's rallies still have an electricity no other candidate in either party can match

Abortions At Grady: A Potentially-Troubling New Aspect In Debate Over Trauma Center; 9/21/07
More than 2,800 abortions performed in three years; new CEO says he stopped procedures after taking office

Shafer: Long-Range Solution For Grady Must Include Bigger Role For Morehouse; 9/20/07
Senator says he's "grieved" Morehouse name getting involved in controversy over Grady-Emory relationship

Matt Towery's Inside The Numbers: What's A Quinnipiac? 9/20/07
How did little-known Connecticut university become an expert on Florida?

Perdue Favorables Top 50% In Latest InsiderAdvantage / Majority Opinion Research Survey; 9/20/07
Georgians high on repealing property taxes, but transportation fix also high on their to-do list

It's Official Now - Here Are Key Georgians In Fred Thompson Campaign; 9/20/07
Sen. Chip Rogers, Steve Croy join other Georgians with roles in former Tennessee senator's effort

GPPF Health Care Symposium Features Casey Cagle, Dr. Louis Sullivan; 9/20/07
Capitol event will focus on market-based, consumer-oriented health options

UPDATED
Tough Talk From Businessman Tom Bell: 'We're Going To Have A Bunch Of Dead People' If Grady Closes; 9/19/07
Chamber task force member says change of management will open vital new sources of finance

RELATED STORY
Emory Dean Refutes Criticism Of Contract With Grady; Warns Time Short To Save Hospital; 9/19/07
Emory not "cherry-picking" patients and not making money off contract, he says

Dick Yarbrough: Life Lessons Gov. Sonny Perdue Learned From Sports; 9/19/07
A serious column gleans some revealing insights about Georgia's chief executive

DOT Chairman Sketches Process Of Selecting Next Commissioner; 9/19/07
And as new report raps Atlanta congestion, Casey Cagle says solving that must be a top DOT priority

Another Voice - Ron Marshall: The Emory-Grady Contract - Hands In The Cookie Jar? 9/19/07
Chairman of New Grady Coalition says fault lines aren't new

Perdue Will Attend Fundraiser For Goddard In Perry This Week; 9/18/07
Retired general seeks to unseat Democratic Rep. Jim Marshall

Senate Majority Leader Says Questions Need To Be Answered About Emory-Grady Contract; 9/18/07
“I think we want to make sure that’s on the up-and-up before we consider any financial help," says Tommie Williams

Dottie Olson, Friend Of The Capitol, Retiring; 9/18/07
She's been with tours and museum division since 1991

UPDATED:
Two Democrats On DeKalb Commission Want To Scale-Back Grady Payments To Emory, Morehouse; 9/17/07
Payments should reflect benefit the schools get for using Grady to train students, commissioner say